U.S. patent application number 13/848491 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-05 for removable blast protection.
This patent application is currently assigned to Navistar Defense Engineering, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Navistar Defense Engineering, LLC. Invention is credited to Walter John Budd, Craig F. Hughes, Jeff Mears, Dan Russell.
Application Number | 20140150633 13/848491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48226729 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140150633 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mears; Jeff ; et
al. |
June 5, 2014 |
REMOVABLE BLAST PROTECTION
Abstract
A detachable blast structure for use as an underbelly device of
a personnel cabin for a vehicle, is disclosed. The blast structure
comprises at least one modular section attachable to the underbody,
and means for attaching and detaching the modular sections to the
underbody. The modular sections are separately attachable and
detachable from portions of the vehicle as needed, depending on the
situations and environment the vehicle will be exposed to and the
level of protection required.
Inventors: |
Mears; Jeff; (Chandler,
AZ) ; Russell; Dan; (Howell, MI) ; Budd;
Walter John; (Rochester, MI) ; Hughes; Craig F.;
(Hancock, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Navistar Defense Engineering, LLC; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Navistar Defense Engineering,
LLC
Lisle
IL
|
Family ID: |
48226729 |
Appl. No.: |
13/848491 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61615688 |
Mar 26, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 ;
89/36.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 7/042 20130101;
F41H 5/013 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 ;
89/36.08 |
International
Class: |
F41H 7/04 20060101
F41H007/04 |
Claims
1. A detachable blast structure for use as an exterior underbody
protection for a personnel cabin for a vehicle, the structure
comprising: at least one modular section attachable to a side of
the underbody; means for attaching and detaching the modular
sections to the underbody.
2. The detachable blast structure of claim 1, wherein the modular
sections are comprised of at least one material selected from the
group consisting of a high-strength low-alloy steel, a hardened
aluminum, or a high carbon steel.
3. The detachable blast structure of claim 1, wherein an air gap is
formed between the attached modular sections and the interior of
the cabin.
4. The detachable blast structure of claim 1, wherein an air gap is
formed between the attached modular sections and a blast
center.
5. The detachable blast structure of claim 1, wherein the means for
attaching and detaching comprises a fastener.
6. The detachable blast structure of claim 5, wherein a blast load
is transferred between the detachable blast structure and the cabin
through the use of a load transfer comb/key component.
7. The detachable blast structure of claim 1, further comprising at
least one exterior shield structure formed within at least one
modular section.
8. An armored blast system for attachment to and detachment from a
vehicle having a cabin hull, the system comprising: a plurality of
modular panels attachable to and removable from a portion of the
cabin hull; and, a means for attaching and detaching the
panels.
9. The armored blast system of claim 8, wherein the modular panels
are comprised of a multi-layered structure.
10. The armored blast system of claim 9, wherein the modular panels
are separately attachable to the cabin hull.
11. The armored blast system of claim 10, wherein the modular
panels are separately attachable to an underbody of the cabin
hull.
12. The armored blast system of claim 10, wherein the modular
panels are separately attachable to a blast center of the cabin
hull.
13. The armored blast system of claim 8, wherein the means for
attaching and detaching the panels include fasteners.
14. The armored blast system of claim 8, further comprising at
least one exterior shield structure formed within the modular
panels.
15. An armored blast protection system for attachment to and
detachment from a vehicle having a cabin hull, the system
comprising: a plurality of modular panels attachable to and
removable from a portion of the cabin hull; a means for attaching
and detaching the panels; and, a comb and wedge fastening system,
wherein a blast load is transferred between the modular panels and
the cabin hull through the comb and wedge fastening system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/615,688 filed on Mar. 26, 2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present device relates to a protective armor for
critical areas of vehicles, including underbody armor for military
vehicles. More specifically, the device relates to a
attachable/detachable blast protection structure and attachment
means for use on a personnel cabin when needed to protect the
vehicle occupants from blast energy and fragmentation resulting
from an improvised explosive device (IED).
BACKGROUND
[0003] Armored vehicles are threatened by IEDs designed to cause
harm to the vehicle and its occupants. IEDs are found in either a
pure blast mode which is comprised of a detonation of a mass of
explosive material, or a fragmentation device which is made of one
or more grouped artillery shells redeployed and detonated in an
effort to inflict casualties. Harm from these devices typically
comes in the form of high pressure blast energy or blast energy and
ballistic fragmentation in the following predominant ways: (1)
rapid surface pressure and destructive hull deformation resulting
in hull breach and direct occupant exposure to blast pressures and
intense heat; (2) high velocity, hull and/or floor accelerations
resulting in occupant incapacities; and (3) high velocity
fragmentation passing through armor and impacting occupants.
[0004] Armor countermeasures typically consist of heavy metal
structure placed between the threat and the vehicle occupants in
such a way as to resist hull breach and aggressive floor
accelerations. These heavy metal structures may also work in
concert with layers of additional metal, ceramic, composite or
plastic materials designed to prevent lethal high velocity
fragments from entering the vehicle. The heavy metal structures are
typically mounted to the underside of the vehicle in various shapes
in an effort to take advantage of shape efficiency and deflection
characteristics when presented with incoming pressure and
fragmentation. Carrying heavy blast and fragment resistant hulls
results in significant performance disadvantage to the vehicle in
terms of reduced fuel economy, lost cargo capacity and increased
transportation shipping costs, as well as, weight challenges for
the environment the vehicles operate in.
[0005] Therefore, it would be advantageous to have the option to
attach and detach a blast protection structure, depending on the
requirements of the situation and environment the vehicle will be
subjected to. The present device is a removable blast protection
structure having an attachment/detachment means, which permits the
structure to be easily attached and detached from a vehicle
depending on the specific situation. The structure is designed to
protect the occupants from blast energy and fragmentation, and
because it is offered as modular sections or panels, can be
customized to meet different levels of threats depending on the
unique operational situation.
SUMMARY
[0006] There is disclosed herein an improved system and method for
protecting a personnel cabin of a military vehicle which avoids the
disadvantages of prior systems while affording additional
structural and costs advantages.
[0007] Generally speaking, the present device is a detachable blast
structure for use as an exterior underbody protection of a
personnel cabin for a vehicle. The blast structure comprises at
least one modular section attachable to a side of the underbody,
and means for attaching and detaching the modular sections to the
underbody.
[0008] In another embodiment, an armored blast system for
attachment to and detachment from a vehicle having a cabin hull is
disclosed. The armored blast system comprises a plurality of
modular panels separately attachable to and removable from a
portion of the cabin hull and a means for attaching and detaching
the panels.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, an armored blast system for
attachment to and detachment from a vehicle having a cabin hull is
disclosed. The armored blast system comprises a plurality of
modular panels separately attachable to and removable from a
portion of the cabin hull, a means for attaching and detaching the
panels, and a comb and wedge fastening system, wherein a blast load
is transferred between the modular panels and the cabin hull
through the comb and wedge fastening system.
[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present
detachable blast structure can be more readily understood from the
following detailed discussion with reference to the appended
drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric underbody view of a portion of a
personnel cabin with the detachable blast protection structure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a portion of a personnel cabin
with the detachable blast protection structure removed to show the
interface;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front cross-section view of a portion of a
personnel cabin (12) with the detachable blast protection
structure;
[0014] FIG. 4 is cut-away view of a personnel cabin with the
detachable blast protection structure removed to show the comb and
wedge fastening system;
[0015] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are perspective views of the comb and
wedge fastening system; and,
[0016] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are other views of the comb and wedge
fastening system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-6B, there is illustrated an embodiment
of the detachable blast protection structure generally designated
by the numeral 10, as well as the components thereof. The device 10
is designed for use as a removable blast structure to provide
additional blast protection to the personnel cabin 12 of a vehicle,
particularly a military vehicle, which is used in war-zones for
transporting personnel or cargo. However, other military vehicles
may also be retro-fitted with embodiments of the present device 10
to protect both military personnel as well as components of the
propulsion system (e.g., drive axles, engine, etc.) when the
vehicle encounters an explosive device.
[0018] Specifically, when needed, the blast structure 10 is
designed to attach to an underbody interface 14, forming the
underside of the cabin 12. It should be understood, however, that
the blast structure can be attached to any portion of the cabin
needing additional protection. In this manner, the blast structure
10 functions to diminish or halt certain classes of ballistic and
blast threats, while providing a structural and automotive function
as part of the occupant cabin and/or hull of the vehicle.
[0019] Armored vehicles having integrated blast solutions are often
extremely heavy to begin with, and face weight challenges in the
environments they operate. Additionally, because of their weight,
such vehicles are often a challenge for transporting to locations
where they are needed. Thus, it would be advantageous to have an
attachable/detachable blast system, which permits the attachment of
a blast structure only when needed, or alternatively, provides the
option to remove a large portion of the weight on the vehicle so it
can be transported, and/or not carry weight that is not needed.
[0020] The underbody interface section 14 of the vehicle is
generally configured having a mounting flange to accept the load
transfer comb/key structures 50, 51 and allow bolting of the
underbody blast protection structure 10 to the cabin 12.
Alternative embodiments and configurations of the underbody can
include curvilinear, saddle and sinusoidal shapes. While a specific
shape or embodiment will be illustrated, it should be understood
that other configurations, such as those created by sharper,
rectangular, or square lines, and peaks and valleys, may also be
used in creating the configuration of the underbody.
[0021] The plurality of high and low areas of the underbody section
14 plus the blast protection structure 10 create deflection faces
and venting openings, or blast surfaces, which deflect and vent the
blast and resulting fragmentation away from the interior of the
cabin 12, as well as, provide separation distances for separating
the interior of the cabin from the blast force. The high and low
areas of the underbody section 14 plus the blast protection
structure 10 further act to dissipate the force of the explosion.
The blast structure 10 of the present disclosure is designed to be
attachable and detachable to the various shapes of the underbody of
the vehicle, and the modular characteristic of the blast structure
provides various options, and are customizable for attachment to
the possible shape variations of the underbody.
[0022] In addition to the blast protection structure 10 shown in
FIG. 3 a plurality of modular sections or panels can be added to
provide additional protection from artillery shell based IED's
which present a fragmentation hazard to the vehicle occupants.
While the embodiment of FIG. 3 shows at least four separate
additional modular sections or panels 18, 20, 22, 24, which in
combination with the removable blast panels comprise the underbody
protection system 10, it should be understood that any number of
sections or panels may be used depending on the design of the cabin
hull. The modular sections or panels 18, 20, 22, 24 may be a solid
structure, or constructed as a layered composite structure. As a
solid structure, the sections or panels may be constructed from
high-strength low-alloy steel, a hardened aluminum, or high carbon
steel, or any combination of these materials
[0023] Attachment of the blast structure to the cabin hull can be
accomplished by any known attaching and detaching means, such as a
fastener. Examples of fasteners include screws or bolts 30, which
are commonly used to attach the individual panels to the chassis.
Regardless of the type of fastener used, it should be compatible
with standard tools that can be carried in the field, quickly
attachable and detachable, and readily available.
[0024] During a blast event, the energy loading between the base
hull cabin 12 and the blast protection structure 10 is transferred
through the use of a unique comb 50 and key or wedge 51 design. In
this design, the comb material is loaded in shear as the two
separate components--the removable blast protection 10 and the
cabin hull 12--are forced either apart or together by the explosive
force of the blast. The key or wedge 51 component of the system
keeps the comb structure 50 fully engaged between the cabin hull 12
and the removable blast protection structure 10.
[0025] FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the load transfer from the
removable blast protection structures 10 to the cabin structures 12
is achieved partly by fasteners and metal to metal contact. In
addition, and to ensure a significant portion of the blast load is
transferred properly to the cabin walls 16, the comb and wedge
fastening system is also employed as an attachment means to secure
the blast protection structures to the cabin structures. When
installed, the combs 50 and wedges 51 act to both transfer vertical
blast forces from the face of the blast protection structures 10
directly to the cabin 12 side walls and tunnel structures 52 and,
more securely connect the blast protection structures 10 to the cab
12 side walls and tunnel structures 52 than fasteners alone. When
properly sized for the structure and blast loads, the combs 50 and
wedges 51 comprise a system with sufficient fastening and load
transfer capability to prevent breach and enable the blast load
path to enter the vertical members of the cabin structure 12.
The attachable/removable blast protection structure 10 of the
present disclosure is designed to meet or exceed military
requirements for hull breach and occupant performance criteria when
subjected to a given type of blast threat. In addition, the blast
structure meets the requirements for minimal floor (subfloor)
deformation and tactical load requirements, while being
manufactured at competitive costs. Finally, the blast structure and
its modular components provide the advantage of accommodating
various shapes of vehicles, and are independently
attachable/detachable to meet weight and levels of protection
requirements.
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